A Night Draped in Gentle Shadows⁵

part 5:

MY SIN

The night was heavy with silence, the kind that usually pressed on Taehyung’s chest until he felt suffocated. But tonight was different—because Victor was here.

Victor’s apartment was dimly lit, the glow of the television screen casting flickers of color across the walls. The dark curtains were pulled shut, locking the world outside. On the couch, Taehyung sat curled up with his knees drawn against his chest, an oversized hoodie swallowing his fragile frame. His lips trembled slightly, not from cold but from the awkward warmth swelling inside him.

Victor emerged from the kitchen, holding a bowl of popcorn in one hand and two drinks in the other. His tall, broad figure filled the doorway. He wasn’t the type to indulge in something as trivial as a movie night, but tonight… he wanted to see Taehyung smile.

“Shift,” Victor muttered, his deep voice carrying a softness rare to his nature.

Taehyung looked up, blinking slowly, then moved a little to the side of the couch. Victor set the bowl down, his body brushing against Taehyung’s shoulder as he sat. The touch sent a strange shiver down Taehyung’s spine.

“You don’t even like movies,” Taehyung whispered, his voice timid.

“I don’t,” Victor admitted, his lips tugging slightly at the corner. “But I like watching you watch them.”

The words made Taehyung’s chest ache in a way that was both sweet and terrifying. He lowered his gaze quickly, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his sleeve.

The movie began, but neither of them truly paid attention. The soft hum of the TV became nothing but background noise to the quiet sound of Taehyung’s breathing and the occasional pop of popcorn between Victor’s fingers.

After a few minutes, Victor noticed Taehyung’s eyes growing heavy, his head leaning unconsciously against the couch cushion. Without hesitation, Victor slid his arm around Taehyung’s shoulders and pulled him closer.

Taehyung stiffened at first, his body tense, but the warmth radiating from Victor’s chest was grounding. Slowly, he let himself sink into it, his cheek resting lightly against Victor’s shirt.

“Comfortable?” Victor asked, his tone low, almost teasing.

“…Yeah,” Taehyung breathed, so softly Victor barely caught it.

Victor shifted, adjusting Taehyung so he was practically wrapped in his arms. His hand rested on Taehyung’s side, firm yet protective, as if he feared Taehyung might vanish if he let go. The possessiveness was still there—Victor’s nature wouldn’t allow otherwise—but tonight, it was wrapped in gentleness.

For the first time in weeks, Taehyung felt safe.

The movie played on, forgotten as Victor pressed his chin lightly against Taehyung’s hair. The scent of Taehyung—soft, sweet, and delicate—was intoxicating. He tightened his hold without even realizing it.

“You’re mine,” Victor murmured, half to himself, half to the boy in his arms.

Taehyung’s lips parted, his heart racing at the words. He didn’t argue, didn’t protest. Instead, he tilted his head just enough for their eyes to meet. In Victor’s gaze, Taehyung didn’t see the cold, cruel man the world feared—he saw something else, something dangerously close to tenderness.

The tension between them hummed, but tonight it wasn’t sharp. It was soft.

Victor reached for the blanket draped over the couch and covered them both, cocooning Taehyung in warmth. His fingers brushed against Taehyung’s hand beneath the blanket, and without a word, he laced their fingers together.

Taehyung’s breath hitched, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he squeezed back.

They didn’t need more words. The silence was enough, filled with the quiet beats of their hearts syncing in rhythm.

For the first time, Taehyung didn’t feel like a sinner drowning in his own shadows—he felt like someone worth holding. And in Victor’s arms, he believed, just for tonight, that he could be loved.

The movie ended long after Taehyung had drifted into sleep, his breathing soft and even against Victor’s chest. Victor stayed awake, watching him, memorizing the fragile innocence of his face.

He brushed a strand of hair from Taehyung’s forehead, his lips curving faintly.

“You’ll never escape me, Tae,” he whispered against the silence. “But maybe you don’t need to.”

And with that, Victor tightened his embrace, holding Taehyung closer, as if he was the only anchor in Victor’s dark, twisted world.

Thank you

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